Silanising agents promote resin-composite repair

Area of Science:

• Dental Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Restorative Dentistry

Background:

• Resin-composite restorations are prone to degradation over time.
• Effective repair strategies are crucial for extending restoration longevity.
• The role of silane coupling agents in composite repair requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of silane coupling agents on the bond strength of repaired resin composites.
• To compare the efficacy of different silane application methods in repair procedures.
• To assess the effectiveness of silane in repairing both aged and newly fabricated composite restorations.

Main Methods:

• Two-part and one-step silane-containing bonding agents were tested for repairing aged (6-year-old) and new resin composites.
• Shear bond strength (SBS) was measured according to ISO/TS 11405 after thermocycling.
• Control groups used bonding agents without silane for comparison.

Main Results:

• Silane application significantly increased SBS in both old (14.8-15.3 MPa vs. 6.2 MPa) and new (23.4-23.7 MPa vs. 15.4 MPa) composite repairs (P < 0.001 and P < 0.005, respectively).
• Both bis-silane and one-step silane bonding products demonstrated comparable improvements in bond strength.
• No significant difference was observed between the two silane application methods.

Conclusions:

• Silane coupling agents are effective in improving the bond strength of resin composite repairs.
• The use of silane-containing bonding agents is recommended for both old and new composite restorations to enhance repair durability.
• Silane treatment represents a valuable strategy for reinforcing the integrity of repaired resin composites.